Stillman Welcomes State Funds to Improve New London Housing Authority Stock
March 16, 2010 – (RealEstateRama) — State Senator Andrea L. Stillman (D-Waterford) today welcomed final approval for the sale of state bonds to underwrite a loan to the New London Housing Authority. A total of just over $6 million will be used to overhaul 126 two- and three-bedroom apartments at the Bates Wood complex in New London.
The funding will also be used for overall site improvements and street upgrades. The project, to be administered by the state Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD), was included on the agenda for this morning’s meeting of the State Bond Commission and approved at that time, Senator Stillman said.
“It’s gratifying to know funding for this worthy project has at last received a ‘green light’ from the Rell administration after initial authorization by the General Assembly in 2005,” Senator Stillman said. “As it stands there is tremendous pressure on existing housing stock in this category throughout eastern Connecticut, so I expect these improvements to be well received in the marketplace.”
Senator Stillman said the DECD expects about 100 new jobs will be generated to complete the planned improvements. She noted how the original bond request was for $10.4 million and said she will continue working to indentify potential funding from other sources for the balance.
“No one is more concerned about our state’s current budget difficulties than I am, yet we cannot suspend altogether the vital programs and services our state needs and residents depend upon,” Senator Stillman said. “This investment in affordable housing stock will help many New London families secure what is perhaps life’s most essential ingredient: a safe, stable, warm and dry place to call home—an invaluable commodity.”
Senator Stillman said the Bond Commission also approved funding today for improvements at other state properties in the region. A total of $100,000 will be used to upgrade the kitchen at a state Department of Developmental Services facility in Waterford, and $55,000 was approved to design a new fire sprinkler system at the Seaview Apartments group home in New London.
Senator Stillman is serving her third term in the Senate after six terms in the House of Representatives. She is the Senate chair of the Public Safety and Security Committee and serves on the Public Health, Education, and Finance, Revenue, and Bonding Committees.
Contact:
Laurence Grootheer
860-240-8820
Laurence.Grotheer (at) cga.ct (dot) gov
